Brussels ES/HS: Activities

Creative Connections is a weeklong Fine Arts workshop for students. The art, music, and drama instructors first select students locally. Applications are forwarded to the DoDEA regional office where they undergo a rigorous second screening. Students who are selected spend a week studying in one of the ten workshops instructed by professional artists, dancers and actors from Europe and the United States. Interested students who wish to apply for Creative Connections should contact their fine arts instructor for details and application information during the fall semester.

Open To: activities, creative, connections

The United States Senate Youth Program, established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. Two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity will spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by Senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as participate in a meeting with a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to the program week, the foundation grants each of the 104 student delegates a $5,000 college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are provided by the foundation; no government funds are utilized.

STEMposium is a weeklong experience in problem-solving and engineering. The event is designed to introduce 90 DoDEA-Europe students, from grades 9 to 11, to a realworld engineering scenario which requires the application of science, technology and math. Content area experts will present information, mentor and provide hands-on, practical experiences targeted at solving a multi-faceted, relevant and dynamic problem. Experts will also provide an opportunity for students to apply for summer internships in the United States. The goal of the STEMposium is to use practicing researchers, scientists and engineers to develop skills in team dynamics, adaptability, problemsolving, complex communications, systems thinking and self-management/self-direction within our students.

The Student Council at Brussels American School is a forum through which students can voice. Their opinions and express their concerns to the administration. Also acting as a mediator between the various clubs and interest groups in the school, the Student Council helps organize the calendar of student events, encouraging participation from the whole student body.

S2S is an organization welcoming new students to Brussels American School. S2S members acquaint new students not only with the school, but the surrounding military and host nation communities as well. S2S activities offer new students the opportunity to become positively and actively involved at Brussels American School from the first day they arrive.

The Honors Music Festival program offers 60 student instrumentalists and 80 vocalists the opportunity to gather for 5 days at a DoDEA approved site in Germany to study a variety of band and choral music. After a period of intensive rehearsals conducted by two of America’s finest conductors, the students present a concert with a combined band and choral finale.

The focus of the 6-day ISLI is the instruction and development of leadership skills with students from DoDEA, the host nation, and international community schools. The faculty selects students who represent the school. The student participants at the Institute are expected to contribute to the roles of learner, planner, investigator, contributor, and team member.

The Jazz Seminar incorporates 28 student instrumentalists and 6-8 vocalists who focus on the study of jazz. The students, under the direction of major musicians/educators, have the opportunity to listen, read, perform, and improvise jazz music. The culminating activity for the seminar is a series of jazz concerts presented by the students for the local community and schools. The seminar and concert are usually held in January each year.

Junior Leadership Seminar is a 6-day event designed to identify and develop leadership skills for use in middle school students (7th graders).

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) Program promotes original research and experimentation in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level and publicly recognizes students for outstanding achievement. JSHS is designed to challenge and engage students (Grades 9-12) in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). Individual students compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their original research efforts before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. By connecting talented students, their teachers, and research professionals at affiliated symposia and by rewarding research excellence, JSHS aims to widen the pool of trained talent prepared to conduct research and development vital to our nation.

MathCounts is a national program where students are coached in problem solving and math skills. It is also an annual DoDEA student activity. Competitions are held at the school level, chapter and state levels. Our state level competition will is in Germany. MathCounts is open to students in grades 6, 7 and 8.

Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an educational simulation and/or academic activity in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. MUN involves and teaches participants speaking, debating, and writing skills, in addition to critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities. Usually an extracurricular activity, some schools also offer Model UN as a class. It is meant to engage students and allow them to develop deeper understanding into current world issues.

The National Honor and National Junior Honor Societies of Secondary Schools (NHS /NJHS) was founded in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals for the purpose of recognizing and fostering academic achievement while developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democratic society. The constitution and by-laws governing the NHS and NJHS remain as established and provide the structure for the organization of local chapters.

New members are selected during the second semester of the school year and are inducted into the Brussels American School chapter of NHS and NJHS at the annual spring induction ceremony. Candidates for NHS membership must be in their< sophomore, junior or senior year of school, and candidates for NJHS membership must be in the 7th, 8th or 9th grade. All must have attended Brussels American School for at least one semester and achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.4. Membership selection is based on established criteria in scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character. Below are some examples that the selection committee will look for in each candidate:

1. Leadership
   1. Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principals, and making suggestions.
   2. Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.
   3. Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals.
   4. Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school.
   5. Is able to delegate responsibilities.
   6. Exemplifies positive attitudes.
   7. Inspires positive behavior in others.
   8. Demonstrates academic initiative.
   9. Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility; conducts business effectively and efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability.
   10. Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities.
   11. Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.
   12. Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude.
2. Service
   1. Volunteers and provides dependable and well organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance.
   2. Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities.
   3. Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school.
   4. Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition.
   5. Does committee and staff work without complaint.
   6. Participates in some activity outside of school, for example, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, religious group’s, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged.
   7. Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools.
   8. Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.
3. Character - The society supports and recommends the use of a multi-faceted definition of character known as the “Six Pillars of Character.” A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship. In addition, it can also be said that the student of character:
   1. Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.
   2. Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness,  friendliness, poise, stability).
   3. Upholds principles of morality and ethics.
   4. Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
   5. Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability.
   6. Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.
   7. Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside the classroom.
   8. Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies.
   9. Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others.
   10. Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment.
4. Citizenship (NJHS)
   1. Understands the importance of civic involvement.
   2. Has a high regard for freedom, justice, and respect of the government.
   3. Demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as Scouting, community organizations, and school clubs.

Students who meet the academic requirement at the end of the first semester will be
notified of their eligibility and will be invited to request consideration for membership by
completing a student activity information form. Selection of new members is made by a faculty council, consisting of five appointed members, following National Honor Society policy and guidelines and using the student activity information form and other verifiable information.

A National Honor Society member who transfers to BAS and brings a letter from the
former principal or a chapter adviser to the BAS adviser will be accepted automatically
as a member in the BAS chapter. Transfer members must meet the BAS chapter’s
standards within one semester in order to retain membership. Any questions about
NHS and NJHS should be directed to Guy Belleman, NHS/NJHS sponsor.